An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 makes the first arrested landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and is underway off the coast of Virginia conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Tackitt/Released)USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) made history May 19 after safely landing the first fixed-wing aircraft, an F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Lt. Patrick McKenna and Cmdr. Beau Duarte, from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., piloted the Hornet and made the first arrested landing, known as a "trap," at 2:07 p.m. local time.
The aircraft carrier is underway performing flight deck certifications in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship is equipped with arresting wires which are capable of safely landing aircraft traveling at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour in about 300 feet.
"It takes a team of professionals to safely land an aircraft aboard a carrier at sea. The crew of USS George H.W. Bush has been working and training for this event for more than two years," said Capt. "Chip" Miller, Bush H.W. Bush commanding officer. "This is a tremendous moment for the crew."
Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier. It was commissioned Jan. 10 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
USS George H.W. Bush Catapults First Aircraft from Flight Deck
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), reached another milestone May 19 when an F/A-18F Super Hornet became the first aircraft to be catapulted from the ship's flight deck at 3:03 p.m. local time.
The Super Hornet was piloted by Lt. Patrick McKenna and Cmdr. Beau Duarte piloted from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
Bush has four steam-powered catapults placed at the bow and port side of the ship which are capable of accelerating an aircraft in less than three seconds from zero to 150 miles per hour in about 270 feet.
"Our ship's mission is to conduct carrier strike group operations around the globe, and with this catapult launching, we are one step closer to doing that," said Capt. "Chip" Miller, Bush commanding officer. "This is just the beginning of flight deck operations aboard this ship. It's what the crew has been working towards for years. They are excited to see aircraft flying on and off our flight deck, and so am I."
The aircraft carrier is currently underway performing flight deck certifications in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bush, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., is the 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier. It was commissioned Jan. 10 at Naval Station Norfolk.